Systems and methods for displaying facility information

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to methods for displaying facility information. One such method includes causing a client terminal to render on-screen floorplan data at a desired position and resolution, wherein the floorplan data is defined by a plurality of scalable resolution independent vector images, each resolution independent vector image representing a physical space in a facility. As set of rules are executed thereby to apply determined visual characteristics to one or more of the vector images, wherein each of the one or more vector images is associated with a data point in a building management system, and wherein for a given vector image the set of rules defines a relationship between observed data point values and visual characteristics to be displayed.

The present application claims priority to Australian Patent ApplicationNo. 2014904537, filed on Nov. 12, 2014, entitled, SYSTEMS AND METHODSFOR DISPLAYING FACILITY INFORMATION, which is incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates broadly to building management, and moreparticularly to systems and methods for displaying facility information.Embodiments of the invention have been particularly developed forproviding visualization indicative of the overall status of an HVACsystem, and additionally to enable sharing of visually-defined HVACperformance data with non-technical users.

BACKGROUND

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should inno way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely knownor forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

It is known to use overlie temperature information onto renderings offloorplan data within graphical user interfaces, for example using alayer-based approach. However, known approaches are limited in terms ofthe level of operational awareness they are able to convey.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate atleast one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a usefulalternative.

One embodiment provides a method for displaying facility information,the method including:

maintaining access to a repository of floorplan data, wherein thefloorplan data is defined by a plurality of scalable resolutionindependent vector images, each resolution independent vector imagerepresenting a physical space in a facility;

maintaining access to a database that associates a plurality of thevector images with data points defined in a building management system;

in response to a request from a client terminal, enabling the clientterminal to render the floorplan data at a desired position andresolution; and

configuring the client terminal to render each of the plurality ofvector images with graphical characteristics determined by reference tothe data points defined in the building management system.

One embodiment provides a method wherein the scalable resolutionindependent vector images include HTML5 Scalable Vector Graphics images.

One embodiment provides a method wherein, for a given vector image, thegraphical characteristics determined by reference to a relationshipbetween: (i) a measured temperature value at the represented physicalspace; and (ii) a defined temperature setpoint value defined for therepresented physical space.

One embodiment provides a method wherein, for a given vector image, thegraphical characteristics include a fill for the vector image.

One embodiment provides a method wherein the fill is characterized by acolour and/or pattern and/or opacity.

One embodiment provides a method wherein the fill is characterized by analphanumeric information.

One embodiment provides a method including enabling a user to definevideo data representative of navigation of the rendered floorplan.

One embodiment provides a method including enabling the user to sharethe video data with a second user of a further client terminal.

One embodiment provides a method wherein configuring the client terminalto render each of the plurality of vector images with graphicalcharacteristics determined by reference to the data points defined inthe building management system includes configuring data binding betweenthe client terminal and a remote data source that provides dataindicative instructions to modify the graphical characteristics of oneor more of the vector images.

One embodiment provides a method wherein configuring the client terminalto render each of the plurality of vector images with graphicalcharacteristics determined by reference to the data points defined inthe building management system includes instructing the client terminalto modify the graphical characteristics of one or more of the vectorimages in response to changes in the associated data points in thebuilding management system.

One embodiment provides a method for displaying facility information,the method including:

causing a client terminal to render on-screen floorplan data at adesired position and resolution, wherein the floorplan data is definedby a plurality of scalable resolution independent vector images, eachresolution independent vector image representing a physical space in afacility; and executing a set of rules thereby to apply determinedvisual characteristics to one or more of the vector images, wherein eachof the one or more vector images is associated with a data point in abuilding management system, and wherein for a given vector image the setof rules defines a relationship between observed data point values andvisual characteristics to be displayed.

One embodiment provides a method wherein the scalable resolutionindependent vector images include HTML5 Scalable Vector Graphics images.

One embodiment provides a method wherein, for a given vector image, thegraphical characteristics determined by reference to a relationshipbetween: (i) a measured temperature value at the represented physicalspace; and (ii) a defined temperature setpoint value defined for therepresented physical space.

One embodiment provides a method wherein, for a given vector image, thegraphical characteristics include a fill for the vector image.

One embodiment provides a method wherein the fill is characterized by acolour and/or pattern and/or opacity.

One embodiment provides a method wherein the fill is characterized by analphanumeric information.

One embodiment provides a method including enabling a user to definevideo data representative of navigation of the rendered floorplan.

One embodiment provides a method including enabling the user to sharethe video data with a second user of a further client terminal.

One embodiment provides a non-transitory carrier medium for carryingcomputer executable code that, when executed on a processor, causes theprocessor to perform a method as described herein.

One embodiment provides a system configured for performing a method asdescribed herein.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “someembodiments” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature,structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in some embodiments” or“in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may.Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics maybe combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or moreembodiments.

As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinaladjectives “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., to describe a commonobject, merely indicate that different instances of like objects arebeing referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects sodescribed must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, inranking, or in any other manner.

In the claims below and the description herein, any one of the termscomprising, comprised of or which comprises is an open term that meansincluding at least the elements/features that follow, but not excludingothers. Thus, the term comprising, when used in the claims, should notbe interpreted as being limitative to the means or elements or stepslisted thereafter. For example, the scope of the expression a devicecomprising A and B should not be limited to devices consisting only ofelements A and B. Any one of the terms including or which includes orthat includes as used herein is also an open term that also meansincluding at least the elements/features that follow the term, but notexcluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and meanscomprising.

As used herein, the term “exemplary” is used in the sense of providingexamples, as opposed to indicating quality. That is, an “exemplaryembodiment” is an embodiment provided as an example, as opposed tonecessarily being an embodiment of exemplary quality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of exampleonly, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a system according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a method according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a client-server framework leveraged by variousembodiments.

FIG. 4A to FIG. 4G illustrates exemplary user interface components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment provides a method for displaying facility information.The method includes causing a client terminal to render on-screenfloorplan data at a desired position and resolution, wherein thefloorplan data is defined by a plurality of scalable resolutionindependent vector images, each resolution independent vector imagerepresenting a physical space in a facility. As set of rules areexecuted thereby to apply determined visual characteristics to one ormore of the vector images, wherein each of the one or more vector imagesis associated with a data point in a building management system, andwherein for a given vector image the set of rules defines a relationshipbetween observed data point values and visual characteristics to bedisplayed.

System Level Overview

FIG. 1 illustrates an arrangement according to one embodiment, referredto as a building management system (BMS) 100. It will be appreciatedthat this is a relative simplistic schematic illustration, intended toillustrate some key features and functionalities.

BMS 100 is defined by both hardware and software components. Forexample, BMS 100 includes a central BMS server 101 which operates inconjunction with a database 102. Server 101 includes a memory module 103which maintains software instructions 104 executable on a processor 105,thereby to allow the server to perform various BMS functionalities. Forexample, these software instructions define some or all of a computerprogram product in the form of a BMS software application. BMS 101includes communication interfaces 107 (such as Ethernet and otherinterfaces) for enabling communication with a plurality of buildingcomponents, and with client terminals.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates server 101 as a single component, in someembodiments server 101 is defined by a plurality of distributed hardwareand/or software components. Furthermore, various other IT components(such as routers, switches, etc) are omitted for the sake of simplicity.BMS server 101 is configured to communicate with a plurality of BMScomponents. For example, these may include a plurality of distributedhardware components that are identified (and functionally configured) asdata points for the BMS. For example, data points may be configured viastandard protocols such as OPC or BACNEt, or proprietary interfaces suchas EBI NetAPI or SOA interfaces. In some embodiments there are multipleseparate BMS servers.

Server 101 interacts with a user interface module 110. For example, theuser interface module is preferably defined by a device (or collectionof devices) configured to deliver web page data for rendering via a webbrowser application (for example a web server that delivers code such asHTML5 code) at a client terminal, such as exemplary client terminal 111(which may be substantially any device able to communicate with userinterface module 110 via the Internet or a local network), thereby toenable to the client terminal to render a user interface based on thatweb page data. The rendered user interface enables a user of clientterminal 111 to access information and/or functionalities provided byBMS server 101. Although FIG. 1 indicates that data flow between clientterminal 111 and BMS server 101 as routing via user interface module110.

In the present example, BMS server 101 is configured to interact withdata points in an HVAC system 120, and other systems. The other systemsare not described in detail, with HVAC being used as a specific examplefor the purposes of the present disclosure. However, it will beappreciated how technologies and methodologies described herein may beapplied in respect of data points from such other BMS server managedsystems.

HVAC system 120 includes various pieces of equipment, including airhandling units 121 and air terminal units 122, and other pieces ofequipment 123. Each piece of equipment includes (or is at a practicallevel related to) none or more data points. These data points areindividual inputs and outputs (binary and/or digital) which feed datavalues into BMS 100. It will be appreciated that the manner by whichHVAC system 120 is illustrated is conceptual only.

Display of Enhanced Floorplan Data

Embodiments described herein make use of scalable vector graphics, forexample using SVG within HTML5, thereby to define floorplan data that isrenderable at a client terminal such as client terminal 111. A key pointof distinction from conventional approaches is that spaces on thefloorplan are represented with scalable and resolution independentvector images, with these vector images being associated with points ina building management system (also referred to as a building automationsystem).

One embodiment provides a method for displaying facility information,the method including: maintaining access to a repository of floorplandata, wherein the floorplan data is defined by a plurality of scalableresolution independent vector images. These include vector imageswherein each resolution independent vector image represents a physicalspace in a facility, such as a room. The method additionally includesmaintaining access to a database that associates a plurality of thevector images with data points defined in a building management system.In response to a request from a client terminal, the client terminal isenabled to render (for example in a web browser user interface) thefloorplan data at a desired position and resolution. That is, the useris enabled to navigate through the floorplan data, for example bypanning, zooming, or transitioning to a different one of a plurality offloors in a facility. The method additionally includes configuring theclient terminal to render each of the plurality of vector images withgraphical characteristics determined by reference to the data pointsdefined in the building management system. For instance, the graphicalcharacteristics may include fill characteristics, such as colour and/orpattern and/or opacity. Alphanumeric information (or other graphicalinformation) may be applied as an alternative or in addition.

As noted embodiment provides a method wherein the scalable resolutionindependent vector images include HTML5 Scalable Vector Graphics images.However, various approaches may be used. The key is to provide aresolution independent floorplan, thereby to enable a user to quicklyand efficiently navigate floor displays (via pan and zoom) whilst, in anefficient manner, displaying graphical attributes representingcharacteristics of spaces based on data defined in a BMS.

For the purpose of the present specification, the application ofgraphical characteristics to the scalable vector graphics is describedby reference to a specific application of conveying temperature data ina facility. In this regard, a scalable vector graphic representing agiven floorspace is associated with a data point that delivers atemperature value for this floorspace.

The graphical characteristic for the vector graphic may be defined basedon, for example:

-   -   Actual temperature. For example a colour gradient is defined,        with various colors, for example ranging from red, to light red,        to white, to light blue, to dark blue, representing various        actual temperatures.    -   Temperature exceptions. For example, one embodiment provides a        method wherein, for a given vector image, the graphical        characteristics determined by reference to a relationship        between: (i) a measured temperature value at the represented        physical space; and (ii) a defined temperature setpoint value        defined for the represented physical space. In this regard,        colours may be used to show whether a given region is warmer or        cooler than its defined setpoint (and the extent of deviation).

In a general sense, a set of rules may be defined thereby to determineselection of graphical characteristics based on data point values. Thesemay vary in complexity. In some embodiments a vector graphic isassociated with a data point directly, in other cases it is associatedwith a data point by virtue of being associated with a rule thatreferences that data point.

The manner by which BMS data is accessed thereby to apply graphicalcharacteristics to vector graphics rendered in a web page varies betweenimplementations. Examples include:

-   -   A method wherein configuring the client terminal to render each        of the plurality of vector images with graphical characteristics        determined by reference to the data points defined in the        building management system includes configuring data binding        between the client terminal and a remote data source that        provides data indicative instructions to modify the graphical        characteristics of one or more of the vector images.    -   A method wherein configuring the client terminal to render each        of the plurality of vector images with graphical characteristics        determined by reference to the data points defined in the        building management system includes configuring data binding        between the client terminal and a remote data source that        provides data indicative instructions to modify the graphical        characteristics of one or more of the vector images.

In either case, there is a form of data binding applied between objectsin the user interface and data defined in a BMS system thereby to enablereal time (or substantially real time) application of BMS data torendered vector graphics, hence enabling a user to vie up to datebuilding information via a floorplan which is able to be navigated (forexample in terms of pan and zoom) in an efficient and effective manner.

Exemplary Method

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary method 200 according to one embodiment.

Method 200 is split into two portions. A first portion is aconfiguration phase, defined by steps 201 and 202. These respectivelyinclude defining floorplan data, including scalable vector graphics forrepresenting floor spaces, and associating the vector graphics with datapoints defined in a BMS. Based on a set of rules, this configured a userinterface in which the floorplan is rendered to apply graphicalcharacteristics to the vector graphics based on obtained values fortheir associated data points.

The second portion is an operational phase defined by steps 203 and 202,which is repeatedly performed each time a client terminal navigates to apage containing an object configured to render the floorplan data. At203 a user navigates to such a page, and at 204 floorplan data isdelivered with its vector graphics bound. Data point values are obtainedand applied thereby to determine visual characteristics either by aserver device (for example a server device that delivers the floorplandata) or by the client device (for example HTML code configures theclient terminal to obtain data point values from specified networklocations).

Video Export Functionalities

One embodiment provides a method including enabling a user to definevideo data representative of navigation of the rendered floorplan, andindicative of historical states of graphical characteristics of thefloorplan. The user is enabled to share the video data with a seconduser of a further client terminal.

The user interface module delivers to the client terminal data thatenables rendering of user interface components thereby to allow controlover video creation and export functionalities. The user is enabled toset a historical capture time, and preferably a sample rate, and causethe interface to export a video (either by way of a file, or by way of alink to a file hosted on a server) which shows the floorplan (based on auser specified navigation portion) over the historical capture time,thereby to graphically illustrate fluctuations in temperatures within afacility.

Exemplary User Interface

FIG. 4A to FIG. 4G illustrates exemplary user interface componentsaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 4A provides an exemplary overall view, showing a user interface 400rendered in a web browser. This includes a floorplan display object 401,which is configured to display floorplan data. Navigation tools 408enable a user to navigate the floorplan in terms of pan and zoom.Secondary navigation controls 402 enable a user to navigate by referenceto selecting discrete floors, or by selecting particular regions (forexample defined by reference to floor spaces represented by scalablevector graphics in the floorplan).

In one embodiment, a user first selects a building (if there aremultiple buildings available), for example using a drop down menu. Oncea building is selected, its floors will be displayed in the lefthierarchy tree within controls 402 (shown in more detail in FIG. 4B).The upper part lists all its floors and zones, the bottom part show thedefinition map, for example an overview map with multiple zones. When auser switches among floors and zones by clicking their name, theirrelevant floorplan (heat map) of the floor/zone will be displayed in themiddle panel 401.

A search function is also provided, shown in FIG. 4G. This enables auser to navigate by reference to floor areas that meet search criteria,which may be defined by reference to temperature.

Objects 403 and 404 provide more detailed temperature information for aselected floorspace (selected by actions such as pointing and/orclicking). Object 403 shows an actual temperature and a setpoint, and insome embodiments provided functionality thereby to enable a user toadjust the setpoint. Object 404 shows a historical relationship betweenactual temperature and setpoint.

Timeline bar and video control 406, shown in more detail in FIG. 4D,allow a user to view heatmap data for a given time range. The userselects a date on the left hand side, and a time range using thetimeline. The user is able to view a preview using playback controls,and adjust a simple rate. The user then selectively exports a videousing an export button, thereby to enable third parties (for examplenon-technical users) to view temperature data for the selected date andtime range. In some embodiments the user defines video characteristicsusing object 406 and then exports, in other embodiments the user recordsactivity in the user interface, which is exported as a video file.

As context, in a typical scenario, an operator is sitting in theoperation room and logs in to a service thereby to access theillustrated user interface. He receives a phone call from someonecomplaining that the temperature is too hot or too cold in a given roomfor the past two days. The operator navigates a floorplan view includingthat room and then clicks that zone or thermostat to show the graphicaltemperature trend diagram in objects 403 and 404. Then, the operatorsets the sample rate (for example to 1 sample per minute) to play-backthe history temperature value for that two days. The operator also canclick the record button to get the video of his operations forpotentially sending the evidence to that people, for example thecomplainant.

Exemplary Client-Server Framework

In some embodiments, methods and functionalities considered herein areimplemented by way of a server, as illustrated in FIG. 3. In overview, aweb server 302 provides a web interface 303. This web interface isaccessed by the parties by way of client terminals 304. In overview,users access interface 303 over the Internet by way of client terminals304, which in various embodiments include the likes of personalcomputers, PDAs, cellular telephones, gaming consoles, and otherInternet enabled devices.

Server 303 includes a processor 305 coupled to a memory module 306 and acommunications interface 307, such as an Internet connection, modem,Ethernet port, wireless network card, serial port, or the like. In otherembodiments distributed resources are used. For example, in oneembodiment server 302 includes a plurality of distributed servers havingrespective storage, processing and communications resources. Memorymodule 306 includes software instructions 308, which are executable onprocessor 305.

Server 302 is coupled to a database 310. In further embodiments thedatabase leverages memory module 306.

In some embodiments web interface 303 includes a website. The term“website” should be read broadly to cover substantially any source ofinformation accessible over the Internet or another communicationsnetwork (such as WAN, LAN or WLAN) via a browser application running ona client terminal. In some embodiments, a website is a source ofinformation made available by a server and accessible over the Internetby a web-browser application running on a client terminal. Theweb-browser application downloads code, such as HTML code, from theserver. This code is executable through the web-browser on the clientterminal for providing a graphical and often interactive representationof the website on the client terminal. By way of the web-browserapplication, a user of the client terminal is able to navigate betweenand throughout various web pages provided by the website, and accessvarious functionalities that are provided.

Although some embodiments make use of a website/browser-basedimplementation, in other embodiments proprietary software methods areimplemented as an alternative. For example, in such embodiments clientterminals 304 maintain software instructions for a computer programproduct that essentially provides access to a portal via which framework100 is accessed (for instance via an iPhone app or the like).

In general terms, each terminal 304 includes a processor 311 coupled toa memory module 313 and a communications interface 312, such as aninternet connection, modem, Ethernet port, serial port, or the like.Memory module 313 includes software instructions 314, which areexecutable on processor 311. These software instructions allow terminal304 to execute a software application, such as a proprietary applicationor web browser application and thereby render on-screen a user interfaceand allow communication with server 302. This user interface allows forthe creation, viewing and administration of profiles, access to theinternal communications interface, and various other functionalities.

Conclusions and Interpretation

Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the followingdiscussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specificationdiscussions utilizing terms such as “processing,” “computing,”“calculating,” “determining”, analyzing” or the like, refer to theaction and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or similarelectronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform datarepresented as physical, such as electronic, quantities into other datasimilarly represented as physical quantities.

In a similar manner, the term “processor” may refer to any device orportion of a device that processes electronic data, e.g., from registersand/or memory to transform that electronic data into other electronicdata that, e.g., may be stored in registers and/or memory. A “computer”or a “computing machine” or a “computing platform” may include one ormore processors.

The methodologies described herein are, in one embodiment, performableby one or more processors that accept computer-readable (also calledmachine-readable) code containing a set of instructions that whenexecuted by one or more of the processors carry out at least one of themethods described herein. Any processor capable of executing a set ofinstructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be takenare included. Thus, one example is a typical processing system thatincludes one or more processors. Each processor may include one or moreof a CPU, a graphics processing unit, and a programmable DSP unit. Theprocessing system further may include a memory subsystem including mainRAM and/or a static RAM, and/or ROM. A bus subsystem may be included forcommunicating between the components. The processing system further maybe a distributed processing system with processors coupled by a network.If the processing system requires a display, such a display may beincluded, e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray tube(CRT) display. If manual data entry is required, the processing systemalso includes an input device such as one or more of an alphanumericinput unit such as a keyboard, a pointing control device such as amouse, and so forth. The term memory unit as used herein, if clear fromthe context and unless explicitly stated otherwise, also encompasses astorage system such as a disk drive unit. The processing system in someconfigurations may include a sound output device, and a networkinterface device. The memory subsystem thus includes a computer-readablecarrier medium that carries computer-readable code (e.g., software)including a set of instructions to cause performing, when executed byone or more processors, one of more of the methods described herein.Note that when the method includes several elements, e.g., severalsteps, no ordering of such elements is implied, unless specificallystated. The software may reside in the hard disk, or may also reside,completely or at least partially, within the RAM and/or within theprocessor during execution thereof by the computer system. Thus, thememory and the processor also constitute computer-readable carriermedium carrying computer-readable code.

Furthermore, a computer-readable carrier medium may form, or be includedin a computer program product.

In alternative embodiments, the one or more processors operate as astandalone device or may be connected, e.g., networked to otherprocessor(s), in a networked deployment, the one or more processors mayoperate in the capacity of a server or a user machine in server-usernetwork environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer ordistributed network environment. The one or more processors may form apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a PersonalDigital Assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a web appliance, anetwork router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing aset of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to betaken by that machine.

Note that while diagrams only show a single processor and a singlememory that carries the computer-readable code, those in the art willunderstand that many of the components described above are included, butnot explicitly shown or described in order not to obscure the inventiveaspect. For example, while only a single machine is illustrated, theterm “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machinesthat individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) ofinstructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussedherein.

Thus, one embodiment of each of the methods described herein is in theform of a computer-readable carrier medium carrying a set ofinstructions, e.g., a computer program that is for execution on one ormore processors, e.g., one or more processors that are part of webserver arrangement. Thus, as will be appreciated by those skilled in theart, embodiments of the present invention may be embodied as a method,an apparatus such as a special purpose apparatus, an apparatus such as adata processing system, or a computer-readable carrier medium, e.g., acomputer program product. The computer-readable carrier medium carriescomputer readable code including a set of instructions that whenexecuted on one or more processors cause the processor or processors toimplement a method. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention maytake the form of a method, an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirelysoftware embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardwareaspects. Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of carriermedium (e.g., a computer program product on a computer-readable storagemedium) carrying computer-readable program code embodied in the medium.

The software may further be transmitted or received over a network via anetwork interface device. While the carrier medium is shown in anexemplary embodiment to be a single medium, the term “carrier medium”should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., acentralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches andservers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term“carrier medium” shall also be taken to include any medium that iscapable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions forexecution by one or more of the processors and that cause the one ormore processors to perform any one or more of the methodologies of thepresent invention. A carrier medium may take many forms, including butnot limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmissionmedia. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical, magneticdisks, and magneto-optical disks. Volatile media includes dynamicmemory, such as main memory. Transmission media includes coaxial cables,copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a bussubsystem. Transmission media may also take the form of acoustic orlight waves, such as those generated during radio wave and infrared datacommunications. For example, the term “carrier medium” shall accordinglybe taken to included, but not be limited to, solid-state memories, acomputer product embodied in optical and magnetic media; a mediumbearing a propagated signal detectable by at least one processor of oneor more processors and representing a set of instructions that, whenexecuted, implement a method; and a transmission medium in a networkbearing a propagated signal detectable by at least one processor of theone or more processors and representing the set of instructions.

It will be understood that the steps of methods discussed are performedin one embodiment by an appropriate processor (or processors) of aprocessing (i.e., computer) system executing instructions(computer-readable code) stored in storage. It will also be understoodthat the invention is not limited to any particular implementation orprogramming technique and that the invention may be implemented usingany appropriate techniques for implementing the functionality describedherein. The invention is not limited to any particular programminglanguage or operating system.

It should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplaryembodiments of the invention, various features of the invention aresometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, FIG., or descriptionthereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in theunderstanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. Thismethod of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed invention requires more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a singleforegoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the DetailedDescription are hereby expressly incorporated into this DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separateembodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some butnot other features included in other embodiments, combinations offeatures of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope ofthe invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood bythose skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any ofthe claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Furthermore, some of the embodiments are described herein as a method orcombination of elements of a method that can be implemented by aprocessor of a computer system or by other means of carrying out thefunction. Thus, a processor with the necessary instructions for carryingout such a method or element of a method forms a means for carrying outthe method or element of a method. Furthermore, an element describedherein of an apparatus embodiment is an example of a means for carryingout the function performed by the element for the purpose of carryingout the invention.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are setforth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention maybe practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown indetail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term coupled, when used in theclaims, should not be interpreted as being limited to direct connectionsonly. The terms “coupled” and “connected,” along with their derivatives,may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intendedas synonyms for each other. Thus, the scope of the expression a device Acoupled to a device B should not be limited to devices or systemswherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input ofdevice B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A andan input of B which may be a path including other devices or means.“Coupled” may mean that two or more elements are either in directphysical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not indirect contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact witheach other.

Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be thepreferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art willrecognize that other and further modifications may be made theretowithout departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intendedto claim all such changes and modifications as falling within the scopeof the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merelyrepresentative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may beadded or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may beinterchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted tomethods described within the scope of the present invention.

1. A computer implemented method for displaying facility information,the method including: maintaining access to a repository of floorplandata, wherein the floorplan data is defined by a plurality of scalableresolution independent vector images, each resolution independent vectorimage representing a physical space in a facility; maintaining access toa database that associates a plurality of the vector images with datapoints defined in a building management system; in response to a requestfrom a client terminal, enabling the client terminal to render thefloorplan data at a desired position and resolution; and configuring theclient terminal to render each of the plurality of vector images withgraphical characteristics determined by reference to the data pointsdefined in the building management system.
 2. A method according toclaim 1 wherein the scalable resolution independent vector imagesinclude HTML5 Scalable Vector Graphics images.
 3. A method according toclaim 1 wherein, for a given vector image, the graphical characteristicsdetermined by reference to a relationship between: (i) a measuredtemperature value at the represented physical space; and (ii) a definedtemperature setpoint value defined for the represented physical space.4. A method according to claim 1 wherein, for a given vector image, thegraphical characteristics include a fill for the vector image.
 5. Amethod according to claim 4 wherein the fill is characterized by acolour and/or pattern and/or opacity.
 6. A method according to claim 4wherein the fill is characterized by an alphanumeric information.
 7. Amethod according to claim 1 including enabling a user to define videodata representative of navigation of the rendered floorplan.
 8. A methodaccording to claim 7 including enabling the user to share the video datawith a second user of a further client terminal.
 9. A method accordingto claim 1 wherein configuring the client terminal to render each of theplurality of vector images with graphical characteristics determined byreference to the data points defined in the building management systemincludes configuring data binding between the client terminal and aremote data source that provides data indicative of instructions tomodify the graphical characteristics of one or more of the vectorimages.
 10. A method according to claim 1 wherein configuring the clientterminal to render each of the plurality of vector images with graphicalcharacteristics determined by reference to the data points defined inthe building management system includes instructing the client terminalto modify the graphical characteristics of one or more of the vectorimages in response to changes in the associated data points in thebuilding management system.
 11. A computer implemented method fordisplaying facility information, the method including: causing a clientterminal to render on-screen floorplan data at a desired position andresolution, wherein the floorplan data is defined by a plurality ofscalable resolution independent vector images, each resolutionindependent vector image representing a physical space in a facility;and executing a set of rules thereby to apply determined visualcharacteristics to one or more of the vector images, wherein each of theone or more vector images is associated with a data point in a buildingmanagement system, and wherein for a given vector image the set of rulesdefines a relationship between observed data point values and visualcharacteristics to be displayed.
 12. A method according to claim 11wherein the scalable resolution independent vector images include HTML5Scalable Vector Graphics images.
 13. A method according to claim 11wherein, for a given vector image, the graphical characteristicsdetermined by reference to a relationship between: (i) a measuredtemperature value at the represented physical space; and (ii) a definedtemperature setpoint value defined for the represented physical space.14. A method according to claim 11 wherein, for a given vector image,the graphical characteristics include a fill for the vector image.
 15. Amethod according to claim 14 wherein the fill is characterized by acolour and/or pattern and/or opacity.
 16. A method according to claim 14wherein the fill is characterized by an alphanumeric information.
 17. Amethod according to claim 1 including enabling a user to define videodata representative of navigation of the rendered floorplan.
 18. Amethod according to claim 17 including enabling the user to share thevideo data with a second user of a further client terminal.
 19. Anon-transitory computer readable medium containing code that, whenexecuted on one or more processors, causes the processors to perform amethod according to claim
 1. 20. A computer system configured to performa method according to claim 1.